Wednesday, July 31, 2002

I wish to thank both Eddie Lanham and Sherri Smith for their efforts in bringing Colonel Benjamin Hawkins' history to the pages of The Citizen. I found this article to be one of the best in recent years.

I decided to load the Global Positioning Satellite coordinates and drive to the location. After arriving on the banks of the Flint River five and a half miles west of the town of Roberta, I pulled out the GPS.

Following the "arrow," I drove down two private roads without success. I decided to park in an overgrown field and walk the remaining eight-tenths of a mile through briars. I had no joy.

A passing Roberta policeman had no clue as to where Colonel Hawkins was placed to rest. Finally, a local lady stopped to see why I was parked in the field. She told me that the grave site was on the opposite side of Agents Road, was well-marked, and that I could drive to it without problem.

For those wishing to visit the grave site, simply drive to Roberta, Ga. Take Agents Road, Ga. Highway 128 West towards the Flint River for about four to five miles. About a half-mile prior to the river you will see a historical marker on the left (south) side of the road. Turn left and drive to the end where you will find the grave.

For the record, my GPS recorded the coordinates as follows: North 32 degrees 40 minutes 00 seconds. West 84 degrees 5 minutes 45 seconds.

Finally, if you are heading down there on a hot summer day, be sure to stop by Dickey Farms and enjoy some of the best homemade peach ice cream on our planet. What a treat! It is located on U.S. Highway 341/Ga. Highway 7 five miles north of Roberta in the small town of Musella.

D.L. Powell

douglaspowell@earthlink.net

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